Chapter 22
It was never a good start to the day when Sora was handing out anti-nausea serum to all the mages before they took flight. And where the hell was that serum when he’d been hungover?
Of course, Gunter could just be grumpy because his dinner plans with Nikki had been abruptly aborted.
He’d gone to the workshop to fetch Nikki and had been shooed away like an unwanted stray cat.
The only consolation had been seeing the same thing happen to Ravi and Baldewin while the mages all cackled wildly behind the closed door.
Around ten in the evening, he’d been summoned to carry a clingy and extremely drunk Nikki to bed. He received a small kiss for his trouble and then Nikki passed out cold with their shoes still on.
The one positive out of this experience was that Nikki no longer seemed hesitant to be around or speak to the other mages.
They gratefully accepted the serum from Sora and even got a quick hug from North, who’d popped down to wish his own mate a safe journey before swearing he was crawling back into his bed.
It was a relief, really, that Nikki no longer seemed at all cautious with the mages. Drinking with everyone was a sure sign of comfort. Gunter was so glad the mages had routinely made friendly overtures and finally gotten past Nikki’s defenses.
Gunter downed the last of his coffee in one long pull, then stood in the shade of the courtyard, waiting for the caffeine to kick in. They just needed the stragglers to meet them out here, and fly out. As if his thoughts had summoned them, Nikki strode up to him, wincing a little at the sunlight.
Why the hell was Nikki down here? He had a feeling it wasn’t to see him off, not like North had just done for Warin. Nikki’s expression told an entirely different story.
“Nikki—” he started.
Nikki held up an authoritative finger. “I understand your concerns. I do. But it’s my decision. And I’m tired of hiding, Gunter. I’m tired of letting fear make my choices. That’s no way to live. I’m going with you.”
And. Well, what could Gunter possibly say to that?
Because Nikki was right, it was their choice, and there was no way in hell he wanted to discount the courage Nikki displayed in this moment.
His dragon wanted to protect Nikki, but Gunter understood, too, that sometimes protecting someone meant being their support as they faced down their fears.
He folded and gave Nikki a small smile, still worried but wanting to give Nikki the chance to grow. “Alright. Just…if you change your mind, please say something? And I’ll take you straight back here.”
“So you’re not going to argue with me?”
“I’ve already done that once. And all it did was get you mad at me. You didn’t agree then. I want to be on the same page as you. And if you feel like you can do this, I’m not going to stand in your way.”
Nikki’s defensive posture relaxed and they beamed with relief. “Good.” Popping up on their toes, Nikki brushed a light kiss on his mouth. “Then you’re forgiven for being an ass.”
“Thank you. I think.”
When everyone was ready, they launched into the cool morning air one after the other.
Dimitri took the lead, his white scales nearly blending in with the clouds, followed directly by the glittering red of his and Warin’s scales.
The deep emerald green of Pol’s earth dragon brought up the rear, carrying Diya, Queen of the Earth Dragons and head mage of her clan.
Gunter had not expected Queen Diya to accompany them, but she’d argued that if her stubborn husband could go off on Jaeggi adventures, so could she.
Gunter knew better than to argue with any queen—or powerful mage for that matter.
The flight to Sazos, France, up in the Pyrenees took roughly two hours.
Gunter’s dragon made a low, growling sound very much like a purr throughout the entire journey as Nikki’s hand regularly reached out to stroke his scales.
Which was a lovely feeling and an affirmation that Nikki really had forgiven him.
They landed well outside of town in a thick grove of trees to hopefully escape the notice of the locals and tourists.
Nikki climbed down from the harness but remained next to his side, running their hand along Gunter’s head, right under the ears where it was sensitive.
Gunter shifted so he could look back at the delicate little mage with the silken blond hair and glittering purple eyes.
Everyone else shifted as well, getting settled back into their own skins before they moved forward as a unit.
Warily, of course, as they were all hyper vigilant in enemy territory.
They walked through the forest to the road, which led them into the quaint mountain town of Sazos.
It was larger than Gunter had been expecting, with thick clusters of sturdy stone homes with steeply pitched bluish-gray roofs.
Ample signs offered directions to a variety of campgrounds and stores offering wares for people hiking and vacationing in the Pyrenees.
But no Jaeggi.
As covertly as possible, Queen Diya cast one spell after another, seeking out any signs of magic or defensive spells, but she kept coming up blank. They wove their way through the town, searching narrow streets and shops. They even paused long enough for lunch in a small café.
After their meal, they headed out of town toward one of the larger campgrounds. Pol knelt in the dirt, using his own magic to read the area.
As much as they didn’t want to admit it, the Jaeggi weren’t here. Part of Gunter was greatly relieved they’d come up empty because it meant Nikki wasn’t in danger, but this didn’t bring them any closer to finding a solution to their bigger problem.
Diya held up one hand, her palm cupped as if trying to cage something there. “The Jaeggi have been here. It’s just been a while. I can feel their magic in the air. Gritty and spoiled, like old meat. But it’s old and faded.”
Nikki sighed and hung their head. “I really wish there had been some sign of them here recently.”
“I do as well,” Dimitri agreed sourly. “I was hoping very strongly they’d be here. Damn.”
“We’re not the only ones coming up empty handed,” Warin grumbled. He shoved his cellphone in his pocket and looked at the rest of their group. “I just got a text from Hoheit. The other four teams have come up with nothing. Cameron is working on refining the list for us.”
“Have you reported the same for us?” Dimitri inquired.
Warin shook his head. “Not yet. Just that the town was empty. The other four teams are headed back to the castle.”
Dimitri looked at Pol, who was still frowning at the dirt. “Do you have anything?”
“It’s faint.” The large man stood and dusted off his hands on his jeans. “There was a large group of them over there near the road, but then it disappears.”
“They got into a vehicle—or maybe several vehicles,” Gunter filled in. They’d had a similar problem when it came to tracking Ravi when he’d been kidnapped. Being in a car made it a little harder for the earth dragons to track a target.
Pol grunted. “There’s this faint wisp running along here.” He gestured along a dirt track leading away from the road and into the woods. “Maybe a lone Jaeggi sent to search for a spell element.”
“Or maybe to meet up with another group of Jaeggi. Deliver instructions,” Warin suggested.
Dimitri turned toward Queen Diya and bowed his head. “With your permission, I would like to take Pol with me and follow the trail while we have it. This might be nothing, but right now, it’s our best lead.”
“Yes, please. With my blessing. Pol is one of our strongest warriors. The earth knows him well and will give up her secrets to him.”
“But my queen, I can’t leave you alone,” Pol said with a gasp.
As Gunter expected, Warin jumped right in, bowing deeply. “I would be honored to carry you back to Burkhard, Queen Diya. I will protect you from any threat with my last breath.”
Warin was an old knight at heart, and he was always thrilled with the chance to offer his life up in the protection of another. Though, Gunter suspected North would have something to say about that eagerness.
Queen Diya warmly smiled at Warin and placed her hand on his arm. “I accept your offer, though I’m hopeful we won’t run into any trouble on the way back to the castle.”
“But-but the king?” Pol stammered. “What will he say?”
Diya narrowed her eyes on the dragon. “If Chalo has an issue with my decision, then he can take it up with me.”
Gunter pressed his lips tightly together to hide his smile, but there was no stopping Nikki’s giggle.
The queen glanced over her shoulder at the mage and winked. “You’ve got to keep these dragons in line.”
“Thank you, Queen Diya. We’ll work quickly and send word if we find anything,” Dimitri said.
“I’ll tell King Rodrigo and the others that you’re following a possible lead,” Gunter offered.
“Do you need me to go with you?” Nikki offered. They looked determined to go, even if there was a hint of anxiety in the tightness around their eyes and mouth. Of course, if Nikki was staying, so was Gunter.
Dimitri grinned and shook his head. “Not this time. This Jaeggi is on the move and won’t have time to set traps for us. If we find a stronghold or even a temporary encampment, we’ll send word for you.”
Nikki breathed a sigh of relief and gave Dimitri a thumbs up.
With Dimitri and Pol setting off into the woods, following the thin trail of the Jaeggi, Gunter and Warin shifted back into their dragon form.
The mages quickly mounted and they were in the sky again.
He was going to be exhausted when he got back to the castle.
It had been years since he’d done this much flying, but there would be no breaks and no stops until Nikki and Queen Diya were safely within the walls of Burkhard Castle again.
And when they were home again, maybe he could think of a few interesting ways to torture Nikki into telling him exactly what they talked about with the other mages. Yes, that sounded like a very pleasurable way to pass an evening.